Game-board.



J. B. RITTENHOUSE.

GAME BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24, 1907.

898,684, Patented Sept. 15,1908.

UNITE .Al S

" EB PATENT OFFIC a GAME-B OARD Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 15, 1908.

Application filed September 24, 1907. Serial No. 3%,416.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs BREWER RIT- TENHOUSE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in the city of Toronto, county of York, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game Boards or Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in game boards or apparatus, particularly in connection with that class of game in which the ordinary game of base-ball shall be closely simulated, and the principal object of my invention is to construct the run-way used so that neither the corners nor the bottom or path of the run-way will interfere with the passage of the balls therethrough used in playing the game, so that when the balls are batted it will be quite possible for them to pass through the run-way back to home base by means of the momentum given thereto by the battin means, as hereinafter more particularly explained.

Figure 1 is a plan-view of a game-board or apparatus constructed according to my preferred form of invention. Fig. 2, is avertical cross-section on the line ab, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal central section through my game-board showing an alternative form of construction therefor, made at right angles to the section shown in Fig. 2. And Fig. 4 is a detail showing a planvieW of the alternative form of construction shown in Fig. 3.

In the drawings, like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

I can construct my game-board to be used in the house or for use in a large scale in a public amusement resort, because in order to lay the game it is not necessary to manipuate the board. For obvious reasons, it will be understood that game-boards can not be constructed of a large size which must be tilted in different directions in order to manipulate the balls used in playing the game.

The bottom or floor ofthe run-way is flat or level, and free of all holes or depressions which would interfere with or impede the passage of the balls.

In playing this game, seven balls are used which, when any one or more are lodged in the bases, count in favor of the player, but when a ball is stalled midway the bases it does not count, unless it be moved by other balls played by the same player into a base.

The game-board A preferably though not essentially, consists of any suitable base 3, made of any suitable material, but referably made of wood, to which is suita ly secured the outer portion 4, and the center diamond-shaped portion 2. The portions 2 and 4 are separated from each other by a diamond-shaped s ace or run-way B, the bottom or floor 0 which is formed by the base 3. As the corners P of the center ortion 2 are rounded, and as the corners of the portion 4 are curved inward, it will be understood that the corners of the run-way B (which is a continuous run-way, that is, one without any barriers or divisions therein), will therefore be rounded: this construction is essential because the portions are deflected by the said rounded corners 0 so that it is possible for a home run to be made by means of this game-board by a ball acting under the influence of the momentum given thereto by the batting means hereinafter described.

In my preferred form of invention the bases or run-ways or pockets or areas hereinafter described are formed by cutting away the desired amount of the outer portion 4 and all open into the run-way B. The base 3 is likewise the bottom or floor for the different areas or run-ways: therefore it will be understood that the floor or bottom of the diflerent bases or areas or run-ways will be on the same level as the floor or bottom of the continuous run-way B.

In playing the game, a ball is placed in the slight depression 0, and is shot in the direction indicated by arrow by retracting and suddenly releasing the spring D. Should the ball be lodged in the area forming the first base E, the player will count a certain amount. But should it pass by the first base and lodge in either of the areas F (which form second base), the player will count higher than if it were lodged in the first base. Should the ball lodge in the area G forming the third base, the player will count still higher. And should the ball pass right along the whole runway B and lodge in the area H forming the home base, the player will count still higher. If desired, the first base may count 10; the second base count 20, the third base count 30, and the home base count 50. Should a ball lodge in the run-way B intermediate two bases, this ball will not count.

I is a run-way representing the right field, and J is a run-way representing the left field:

should a ball become lodged in either of these run-Ways, it will not count in the players favor. Each player is supposed to shoot seven consecutive balls; and therefore it will be understood that should a ball strike one or more stalled balls and move any one or more into any of the areas forming the bases, this play will count in the players favor. Then the player has shot his seven balls, he counts his score and removes his balls from the board. The next player then plays, and so on until nine innings have been played.

The spring D, which corresponds to the bat, is suitably secured in place. According to my preferred form of construction for this purpose, I press the inner end of the spring D down into the center portion 2 of the game board.

In the alternative form of my invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, I show a run-way 5 communicating with an area 6, such area corresponding to the pitchers base. The ball is placed in the depression 7 (see dotted lines Fig. 3), and is knocked so that it will run down the inclined bottom 8 of the run-way 5. As the ball leaves the run-way 5, the spring D is operated for the purpose before set forth.

It will of course be understood that the space between the spring D, when the same is in its normal position, and the portion of the wall of the run-way B adjacent thereto, will be sufficient to allow the free passage of the ball.

If desired, I may omit the run-ways I and J.

It will of course be understood that the run-way B, and the areas or bases opening thereinto, are deep enough to prevent the escape of balls.

Should a ball lodged in any of the bases be knocked therefrom by another ball played, it will be understood that the ball removed from the base will lessen the players score, unless it should be knocked into another base. As the floor or bottom of the different bases or areas is on the same level as the floor or bottom of the run-way B, as before de scribed, it will be understood that it will be quite possible for a ball to be removed from a base, as set forth.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a game-board provided with a base; a diamond-shaped center portion provided with rounded corners, associated with saidbase; an outer portion surrounding said diamondshaped portion and also associated with said base, and separated from said diamondshaped portion by a continuous run-way which has a flat or level bottom; the said outer portion being provided on its inner configuration with rounded corners whereby the balls used in playing the game are defiected in their course, and being further provided with a plurality of areas opening into said run-way with their floors or bottoms substantially 011 a level with the floor or bottom of said run-way, and forming the first, second, third, and home bases, and a spring secured to the game-board so that its free end may be manipulated in order to drive the said balls from the home base.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a game-board provided with a base; a dia mond-shaped center portion provided with rounded corners, associated with said base; an outer portion surrounding said diamondshaped portion and also associated with said base, and separated from said diamondshaped portion by a continuous run-way which has a flat or level bottom; the said outer portion being provided on its inner configuration with roumled corners whereby the balls used in playing the game are deflected in their course and being further provided with a plurality of areas opening into said run-way with their floors or bottoms substantially on a level with the floor or bottom of said run-way, and forming the first, second, third, and home bases, the said outer portion being further provided with two runways communicating with said diamondshaped run-way with their floors or bottoms substantially on a level with the floor or bottom of said run-way, one between the first and second bases, and the other between the second and third. bases, and a spring secured to the game-board so that its free end may be manipulated in order to drive the said balls from the home base.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a game-board provided with a diamond-shaped run-way having a level bottom or floor, the inner corners of said run-way being rounded, and the outer corners of said run-way being rounded whereby the balls used in playing the game are deflected in their course; and being further provided with a plurality of areas opening into the said run-way with their floors or bottoms substantially on a level with the floor or bottom of said runway, and forming the first, second, third, and home bases, and a spring secured to the game-board so that its free end may be manipulated in order to drive the said balls from the home base.

JAMES BREWER RIT'IENHOUSE.

IVitnesses:

WM. S. JORDAN, E. L. J osnrn. 

